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Report: Juventus target has now picked West Ham United instead, medical imminent

Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
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West Ham United are close to signing Sao Paulo defender Luizao with a medical now believed to be imminent for the Brazilian ace.

The Hammers brought in a Brazilian star over the summer with Lucas Paqueta arriving from Lyon in a big-money deal.

Since then, there seems to have been a raft of rumours linking Brazilian players with moves to East London.

Rodrigo Becao, Gerson and Matheus Cunha are recent rumours and West Ham now appear to be closing in on a Brazilian addition.

Atletico Mineiro v Sao Paulo - Brasileirao 2022
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

Luizao set for West Ham United medical

The strongest of the Brazilian rumours has surrounded Sao Paulo defender Luizao.

Goal Brasil claimed in November that Luizao was ‘practically certain’ to join West Ham at the end of his Sao Paulo contract in January.

90Min then claimed on Monday that Luizao has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Hammers.

Benfica, Sporting, Porto, Fulham, Wolves, Juventus and even the Red Bull group made offers to Luizao but he has picked a pre-contract agreement with West Ham.

UOL Esporte in Brazil now claim that Luizao is expected to undergo a medical with West Ham in the coming days.

The deal is still expected to only go through once Luizao’s deal expires at the end of January, rather than West Ham paying a small fee to sign him earlier.

UOL’s report adds that Luizao’s contract with West Ham will have a two-year extension option included.

Luizao, 20, has emerged as a real talent over in Brazil, breaking into the Sao Paulo side as a left-footed centre back.

The Hammers just paid big money for a left-footed defender in Nayef Aguerd but are now adding Luizao to their ranks too.

The idea may be for Luizao to compete with Aguerd and ultimately replace Angelo Ogbonna, who looks set to leave in 2023.

Luizao has only played 20 first-team games for Sao Paulo, so he will need time to adjust in the Premier League but David Moyes and co seemingly believe that they have landed a future star.